THE VENEZUELAN SALT-FISH INDUSTRIES 



The names lisa and lebranche are both applied to several species of mullet (family: 

 Mugilidae) . Lisa is usually the term for fish of the smaller sizes. Large mullet are called 

 lebranche all along the coast except in Lake Maracaibo where they are called lisa. These 

 mullet are of the same general type as the mullet found in the southern United States except 

 that in Venezuela the lebranche attain a much greater length. Lisa average 12 to 15 inches 

 in length and lebranche 24 inches or more. The larger sizes are preferred in Venezuela and 

 little use is made of the small and mediujii-sized fishes except as bait. The flesh is off- 

 white in color, sometimes it tends to be somewhat soft but still is flaky and usually quite 

 attractive. Oftentimes large fat deposits are found in the belly. Bones are not numerous. 

 Mullet are found almost universally along the coasts of Eastern Venezuela and are particu- 

 larly abundant in the Gulf of Cariaco, in the Unare and Tacarigua Lagoons and at places 

 around Isla Margarita and Isla Coche. Usually fish observed jumping in the harbors are 

 mullet . During most of the time mullet are found close inshore and they are taken in large 

 numbers in the Unare and Tacarigua Lagoons. Lisa and lebranche are now dry-salted extensive- 

 ly and the resultant product finds a ready sale in Venezuela but becomes quite dark and 

 oxidized after a short storage period. It is not a particularly good dry-salt product al- 

 though it could probably be sold in export markets. Probably brine-salting would result 

 in a much better product in Venezuela as it has elsewhere. Mullet are now caught chiefly 

 in atarrayas and chinchorros. The enormous runs of mullet during the periods of "ribazon" 

 at Unare and Tacarigua are well known and attract fishermen from distant points year after 

 year. The only type of gear permitted is the atarraya. If other nets, such as chinchorros 

 or filetes were licensed to fish during certain controlled periods, total production could 

 be increased greatly. 



Machuelo are now usually thrown away when caught and are, as far as known, never fished 

 for even though large quantities could be and are caught incidental to the capture of other 

 more-favored varieties . The machuelo of Venezuela is a thread herring ( Opisthonema oglinum ) , 

 It averages 10 to 11 inches in length and .is similar in form to the shad ( Alosa sapidissima ) . 

 The flesh is similar to that of herring and shad, being off-white in color and somewhat 

 soft but flaky. Bones are not as numerous as in shad or herring, however. Machuelo seem 

 to appear more or less regularly throughout the year with the largest schools in the period 

 from July to August. The best areas are around Isla Coche smd Isla Margarita with indica- 

 tions that the mainland from Carupano westward might adso be good. Machuelo should be suit- 

 able both for dry salting and for brine salting. The present fishing gear and methods, 

 if a demand is established, could take large catches. 



Pampano are not importamt fishes in Venezuela. Several species come under this name, 

 but they all belong to the Jack family. The period of abundance and location of capture 

 are more or less the same as for lamparosa. Most pampano are now taken incidentally with 

 other species. Dry-salted pampano would be salable on the Caribbean market. Practically 

 the entire catch is taken in haul seines, Pampano, of course, are much esteemed as fresh- 

 fish, particularly in the United States. Their use as a dry salt-fish during normal times 

 would be inefficient. It would be much better to quick freeze this species for export. 



The picua of Venezuela is a member of the barracuda family — probably Sphyraena barra- 

 cuda . Although there is widespread prejudice in the Caribbean area in regard to eating 

 this fish, this feeling seems to be lacking in Venezuela. The picua has rather attractive 

 flaky white flesh with only a small oil content. It makes one of the best dry salt-fish 

 products. It probably could be sold on the Caribbean market as it is now sold in Venezuela. 



Most picua are now taken by hook and line but occasionally they are also caught in 

 haul seines. Since they are more or les§ solitary animals it is probable that the catch 

 cannot be increased greatly, 



Raya are taken in rather small amounts. The same seems to be applied to several species 

 of skates or rays. The flesh is attractive and when dry-salted it is a good substitute 

 for imported cod. The appearance of reddening seems to be delayed. Dry-salted rays would 

 be salable on Caribbean markets but it is doubted that the catch can be greatly increased 

 because of the more or less scattered occurrence of these animals. Raya are now taken in 

 chinchorros, by harpoon or by handline. 



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